Consistency regulator



April 21, 1942. H. e. CRAM 2,280,632

CONSISTENCY REGULATOR I v FiledMay 26, 1938 a Sheets-Sheet i l'nventur'. HEPvE BETam flitturnegs- April 21,1942. H; G. CW v 2,280,632

CONS ISTENCY REGULATOR 'Filed May 26, 1938 3 SheetsQSheet 2 Inventor- V Herve ELET'am E19 7 I y: AZ

Flttnrnega April 21, 1942. CRAM 2,280,632

CONSISTENCY REGULATOR Filed May 26,- 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventur'- Herve 51:1 am

fitturneg's.

Patented Apr. 211, 1942 CONSISTENCY REGULATOR Hervey G. Cram, Appleton, Wis., assignor to P. D. Cram, Appleton, Wis.

Application May 26, 1938, Serial No. 210,141

4 Claims.

This invention appertains to a novel device for regulating the consistency of pulp or stock for use in the making of paper or similar fibrous products.

One of the primary objects of my present invention is to provide a regulator which will quickly and accurately respond to any change in the consistency of the pulp and rectify said change rapidly without any appreciable time lag between the delivery or checking, as the case might be, of the dilution liquid and its effect upon the regulator, so that a-uniform consistency of the stufi or pulp passing through the stuff gate will be had.

Another salient object of' my invention is to provide a consistency regulator of a compact anddurable construction which can be placed adjacent or directly onthe stuff regulatorbox, so that the stuff flowing through the stuff gate of the box will act immediately on the consistency regulator.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a flexible diaphragm in the consistency regulator and a head located, directly over an orifice in the regulator and at right angles to the direction of flow of the stuii or stock through the regulator and above the diaphragm, whereby with an increase in the consistency of the stock, the rate of flow of the stock will be retarded at the orifice. by the head, and thus efiect an increase in pressure on the diaphragm, the movement of the diaphragm eifecting operation of the liquid dilution control valve.

A still further-object of my invention is the rangement, and formationpf parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings: Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the use of my improved consistency regulator. V

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

sponding parts throughout the-several views, the

letter R generally indicates my improved consistency regulator, and B a stuff regulator box with which the same is associated.

The stuff regulator box B is provided at one side with a stock outlet opening 5, the active size of which is controlled by a sliding gate 6. The gate can be raised and lowered in any preferred manner from the top of the box, as shown, to open and close the openin 5.

Arranged within the box B is a vertically extending partition I. The stock is delivered into the box on one side of the partition I by means of a pipe 8, which leads from a pump 9. The pump 9 receives the stock from the stuff tank "I. Obviously, this tank can be provided with an agitator, if so desired, and the stock is received into the tank from any suitable source of sup- I ply. Communicating with the box B on the other side of the partition I from the delivery pipe 8 is a stock return pipe l I, which leads back to the stuff tank I. The partition I maintains a desired and constant head in the box B, so that the pressure will be the same at 'all times at the opening 5. A relatively short baffle l2 is'arranged in the box B in front of the delivery pipe 8. This baffle l2 serves a dual function: first, to

lator can be bolted directly to the stud regulator box B around the opening 5. Thus, the stock flows directly from the box B into the regulator body l5.

The upper end of the regulator body l5 has secured thereto a dome I8,'and arranged between the dome and the body l5 and secured in place by the bolts of the dome is a plate I9. This plate l9 extends entirely across the upper end of the body and is provided with an axially disposed outlet opening or orifice 2U. Adjustably mounted in the dome I8 is the regulator head 2|. The head 2| is provided with relatively fine exterior threads for engaging similar interior threads carried by the dome, whereby the headcan be accurately adjusted relative to the outlet orifice 20. By moving the head 2| toward and away from the opening 20, the rate of flow of stock through the opening can be controlled.

The head is provided with an outstanding annular flange 22, and this flange can carry suitable handles 23, whereby the head can be conveniently turned. This flange is also graduated, and the graduations on the flange cooperate with graduations on a rule rod 26 for indicating the exact position of the head 2| relative to the opening 20. The rod 26 is securely bolted to the dome in any preferred manner. Extending radially from the dome l8 above the plate I9 is the outlet collar 21, and this collar has bolted thereto an outlet stock pipe 28. This pipe can lead to the point of use of the pulp. If desired, the plate H! can carry an arcuate, upstanding guide wall 29 for engaging the adjustable head 2|, and as this wall 29 is located diametrically opposite the outlet collar 21, the wall tends to direct the stock or stuff toward said outlet collar,

The lower .end of the body I5 is closed by a flexible inner diaphragm 30, and this diaphragm 30 is held in place by a ring 3!. A second diaphragm 32 is securely fastened to the ring 3| by a second ring 33, and the ring 3i spaces the inner and outer diaphragms 30 and 32 one from the other, and thus a compartment 34 is formed between the diaphragms.,The space between the diaphragms is filled with water or other desired fluid, for a purpose which will be set forth later. It can be seen, however, that movement of the inner diaphragm .30 will be transmitted to the outer diaphragm 32. Movement of the diaphragins controls the dilution of the stock in the stuff regulator box by means which will now be set forth.

Depending from the bottom ring 33 is a pair of bracket arms 35, which rotatably support an operating shaft 36. The central part of the shaft has formed thereon or secured thereto a crank-arm 31, and this crank-arm, inturn, has pivotally connected thereto an upstanding rod 38, which bears against a pressure plate 39. This pressure plate snugly engages the lower diaphragm 32 and, thus, movement of the diaphragm will be transferred to the shaft 36.

through the medium of the rod 38 and crankarm 31. In order to support the pressure plate, the same has formed thereon or secured thereto depending ears 40, which are pivotally mounted onlinks 4|. These links are, in turn, mounted upon the cross-shaft 42, carried by the main bracket arms 35.

Extending into the stuff regulator box B is the dilution liquid pipe 43. This pipe is provided with an outlet head 44 directly above the stuff outlet opening 5. Arranged within the length of the pipe 43 adjacent one of the bracket arms is a control valve 45. The valve can be securely fastened to the body l5 by means of a bracket 46. The valve 45 is shown in detail in Figure 4 of the drawings. The specific construction of the valve itself forms no part of the present invention, and

will not be described in detail, but it is to be noted that the same includes a vertically movable valve stem 41, and that this stem has pivotally connected thereto a link 48. The link, in turn, is pivotally connected to a crank 49 securely fastened to one end of the operating shaft 36. If desired, a packing box can be carried by the valve casing for the shaft 36.

The end of the shaft 36 remote from the valve 45 has mounted thereon a clamp 50. This clamp 50 receives a rod 5!, and a weight 52 of the desired mass is adjustably mounted on the rod. The weight is movable toward and away from the' shaft 36 and projects from the shaft in a direction opposite to the crank-arm 31. The weight 52 holds the pressure plate 39 against the lower diaphragm 32, and, obviously, by adjusting the weight on the rod 5| toward and away from the shaft 36, the pressure leverage plate can be held with the desired pressure against the diaphragm.

A depending rod 55 is also carried by the clamp 50, and an adjustable weight 56 is mounted on the rod 55. The function of the vertical weight 56, as positioned on the rod 55, is to allow ad justment of the speed of the valve opening with relation to the change in the head across the stuff box opening 5, as effected by a consistency change,

In the operation of my regulator, the stuff is supplied to the regulator box B through the pipe 8, and a uniform head is maintained in the box by the partition I. The gate 6 is adjusted to the desired position, as is the regulator head 2|. The stock flows from the opening 5, through the regulator, and out ofthe pipe 28. As the stock leaves the regulator, the same flows through the orifice 20 and impinges against the head 2 I. It is to be noted that the head is disposed at direct right angles to the direction of flow of the stock, and consequently the stock makes a substantially right-angled turn above the orifice. Initially, the weight 52 and the valve 45 are set to regulate a small, but desired flow of dilution liquid to the box B.

With an increase. in the consistency of the stock flowing through the regulator, the rate of flow will be retarded at the orifice 20, which effects an increase in pressure on the diaphragms 30 and 32. The movement of the diaphragms will rotate the shaft 36, and consequently operate the valve 45 for increasing the flow of dilution liquid to the stock. Obviously, with a decrease in consistency of the stock, the pressure on the diaphragms will be decreased, and consequently the valve 45 will be operated to decrease the flow of dilution liquid to the stock.

As the pressure in the regulator increases as affected by the frictional action at the orifice 20, the differential in the head across the opening 5 is decreased'correspondingly, with the result that the flow through the opening 5 is decreased, and the rate of flow of solid paper-making material remains practically constant.

The rate of flow of dilution liquid through the valve 45 with relation to the variation in the head across the opening 5, resulting from consistency variation, is determinedby the vertical-position of the weight 56 on the rod 55. As the regulator islocated directly at the stuff regulator box, and as the regulator is extremely sensitive, the delivery of the dilution liquid is practically instantaneous with the operation of the diaphragms, and consequently time lag is practically eliminated between the time of delivery of the dilution fiect upon the dialiquid is admitted to the pulp that is flowing 4 toward the opening 5. Therefore, the pulp being returned to the tank I0 is not affected by the dilution liquid.

The diaphragms 30 and 32 are preferably made from rubber, although obviously other material can be used. As the chamber 34 between the diaphragms can be filled with water, the opposite faces of the diaphragm 30 remain wet at all times, andthis insures long life to the inner diaphragm.

Visual change in the position of the diaphragms is shown in the sight glass 53, and this glass communicates with the chamber 34 by means of a pipe or tube 54. Obviously, rupture of either one of the diaphragms 30 or 32 will be immediately shown in the sight tube by the raising and low- 7 ering of the liquid therein.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that I have provided a precision consistency regulator for paper stock, which is of a compact and durable construction, and which can be associated directly with the stuff regulator box.

Changes in details may be made Without departing from the.spirit or the scope of the invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. A consistency responsive apparatus for pulp comprising, a box for the pulp having a discharge opening maintained under a constant head of pulp, a body for receiving pulp directly from said opening, said body having an axial orifice therein through which the pulp travels, a head in said body arranged directly above the orifice and having a surface which extends at right angles to the direction of flow of pulp through the orifice, and so positioned as to cause a resistance to the flow of the pulp and a pressure, a diaphragm in said body responsive to change in pressure caused by change in consistency of the pulp acting on said head, and an operating mechanism actuated by the diaphragm and responsive to the pressure on the diaphragm caused by the change of consistency in the pulp.

2. A consistency responsive apparatus for pulp comprising, a box having a discharge outlet maintained under a constant head of pulp, a body disposed exteriorly of the box having an inlet for receiving the pulp from said opening and a discharge outlet, said body having an orifice therein between the inlet and outlet through which the pulp flows, a diaphragm on one side of the orifice, means on the, other side of the orifice to cause africtional resistance to the flow of the pulp and create pressure on the diaphragm, the diaphragm being movable under the variation of pressure caused by the change of consistency in the pulp, said means being adjustable toward and away from'the orifice for controlling the rate of flow o1 pulp through the orifice, and anoperating mechanism actuated from the diaphragm and responsive to the pressure on the diaphragm caused by the change of consistency in the pulp.

3. A consistency responsive apparatus for pulp comprising, a body having an inlet opening for pulp and a discharge opening for'pulp, said body having an orifice between said-openings through which the pulp flows, a diaphragm on one side of the orifice, a head mounted in said body on the other side of the orifice and adjustable toward and away from the orifice to cause a frictional resistance to the flow of pulp through the orifice and a pressure from the pulp on said diaphragm, and an operating mechanism actuated from the diaphragm and responsive to the pressure on the diaphragm caused by the change of consistency in the pulp, said head having graduations, and a stationary scale carried by the body cooperating with the graduations on the head for indicating the position of the head relative to the orifice.

4. A consistency responsive apparatus for pulp comprising, a body having an inlet for receiving pulp and an outlet for the pulp, said body also having an orifice therein between the inlet and fice and thereby create a pressure on the diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable under changes of pressure, an operating mechanism actuated by the diaphragm upon movement of the diaphragm by change of pressure, means for regulating the flow of the pulp to the body, and means'for adjusting the position of the head relative to the orifice for controlling the active size 01' the orifice.

' HERVEY G. CRAM. 

